Work is nearing end on buildings study

WARREN -- Work is nearly complete on the first phase of a project aimed at improving downtown.
Anthony Iannucci, director of Warren Redevelopment and Planning, said the first phase of the project called Downtown Warren -- Back to the Future should be done in about a month. The project is funded with $32,500 from the city's community development department.
The first phase involves a physical inventory of all buildings and properties within the downtown business district. Phase two is development of a vision statement for the district based on information collected.
The study area is bordered by Atlantic and Fulton streets and Tod and Chestnut avenues.
The inventory revealed some surprises, Iannucci said.
"There's a building on West Market Street on the square that has a ballroom on the third floor," he said, adding that he hasn't researched the building's history.
The building, which is now vacant, most recently housed a bookstore. It's first floor was used for shops, the second was divided into offices and the third features a large room with a domed stained-glass window.